MIAMI (Nov. 24, 2020) – The FIU men's basketball team opens the season at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Wednesday, as the Panthers welcome Flagler College. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and will air on CUSA.tv.
Click here for game notes.
FIU was originally scheduled to play Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, but rescheduled its season opener with Flagler College.
LOOKING BACK AT 2019-20
In the team's second year under head coach Jeremy Ballard, the Panthers posted a 19-13 overall record last season, and the team went 9-9 against Conference USA opponents. The team recorded its second-ever victory at the C-USA tournament when FIU topped Rice 85-76 prior to the season's cancellation due to COVID-19.
Former standouts Osasumwen Osaghae and Devon Andrews received second-team honors from the league, while Osaghae was also named to the all-defensive team. Additionally, Osaghae was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, marking the first league superlative for any FIU player.
TV TIME
Conference USA announced its initial broadcast schedule for the 2020-21 men's basketball season on Tuesday. FIU is featured in 15 games on ESPN+, and the team's contest against Marshall on Jan. 23 airs on Stadium.
BY THE NUMBERS
FIU closed out the 2019-20 campaign as the nation's leader in blocked shots (210) and swats per contest (6.6). Additionally, the team sat atop the league's standing for three-point defense (28.8%), assists (14.7) and steals (8.8).
Antonio Daye, Jr. returns to the Panthers and the guard led the league with 152 total assists and 4.9 assists per game last season. Daye, Jr. also ranked 62nd nationally in both categories during his sophomore campaign.
PRESEASON POLL
FIU was picked to finish 11th in the Conference USA Preseason Coaches poll. The league's head coaches named WKU as the favorites to take the conference title for the third-straight year.
2020-21 C-USA Preseason Poll (first-place votes)
1. WKU (11)
2. North Texas (3)
3. Marshall
4. UAB
5. Old Dominion
6. Charlotte
7. Louisiana Tech
8. UTEP
9. UTSA
10. Florida Atlantic
11. FIU
12. Middle Tennessee
13. Southern Miss
14. Rice
FAN ATTENDANCE
Due to physical distancing requirements, total capacity at Ocean Bank Convocation Center will be reduced to 15%, with no lower-level seating available. For more information on tickets, call 305-FIU-GAME.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on FIU men's basketball by following @FIUMensBBall on Facebook and @FIUHoops on Twitter and Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.
